Leaving the comfort zone: Extreme tourism on the rise

The Titan submersible, which was en route to the Titanic shipwreck at a depth of about 4,000 meters (more than 13,000 feet), imploded earlier this week, killings all five occupants. Dives to the famous wreck were on offer since 2021, costing $250,000 (€223,000) per person. Many thrill-seekers are willing to take considerable risks and pay sustainable sums for an experience of a lifetime.

Some 600 climbers reached the peak of Mount Everest this spring. Yet 13 climbers also lost their life attempting to scale the world's tallest mountain, with four people still missing. Even though companies and local Sherpas help adrenaline junkies scale the mountain, climbing to the height of 8,848 meters (29,030 feet) remains a risky undertaking.

Blue Origin has been offering 10-minute spaceflights since 2021, providing an opportunity to experience momentary weightlessness. The very first ticket sold for a staggering $28 million (€25.7 million). Starting in August, Virgin Galactic plans to run spaceflights as well. The half-hour trip will cost about €450,000 ($490,000) per person.

Various tour operators have resumed offering trips to Syria, which has been torn apart by years of civil war. But critics say taking tourists into government-controlled areas will indirectly support the Assad regime. During years of fighting, numerous attractions, such as the ancient city of Palmyra (pictured), sustained heavy damage.

The area surrounding Ukraine's damaged Chernobyl nuclear power plant became a veritable tourist hot spot in recent years. All that changed when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country in 2022. However, and perhaps more controversially, some operators now offer trips to places that have been liberated from Russian occupation, such as Bucha and Irpin.

North Korea is one of the most isolated and least touristic countries in the world. Currently, foreigners are not allowed to enter due to the COVID pandemic. In principle, however, certain tour operators do offer trips to North Korea. Strict entry rules and checks, however, mean only few intrepid travelers actually cross the border.

Survival trips have also seen growing demand. Tour operators offer a range of different adventure packages, some of which take thrill-seekers to Brazil's Amazon rainforest. There, they can leave their comfort zone, sleep in hammocks, forage for food and learn to make a fire without a lighter or matches.

With deep enough pockets, travelers can embark on a trip to Antarctica where they are likely to encounter penguins. Visitors can explore Earth's southernmost continent by taking a cruise from South America. Alternatively, direct flights to the South Pole are also available for a hefty €70,000 ($76,000).